Secrets to Mastering EPCOT’s Top Rides

We are thrilled with all the changes happening in EPCOT right now.  There are so many updates and changes going on throughout this Disney Park and we can’t wait to see the finished product.

From new dining experiences such as Space 220 and Connection Cafe & Eatery to the top ride in all of Walt Disney World with Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, EPCOT is a Disney Park that you won’t want to miss.

To help you get the most out of your day in EPCOT, we have some secrets on how to master all these great rides.  We hope these tips will help you have a magical time in EPCOT.

Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind

The first ride we are going to focus on is the big hitter.  Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind is the newest ride in all of Walt Disney World and has quickly become the top ride as well.  

Right now there are two ways that Guests are able to experience this ride and both starts right at 7 am.  The first option is to purchase an Individual Lightning Lane.  This option is found with Disney Genie on the My Disney Experience app.   Guests pay a set price (based on the day) in order to access the ride at a specific time.  With this option, Guests are given an hour window in which they are able to ride.  Once Individual Lightning Lanes sell out, they are no longer available for the day.

The second way that Guests are able to access Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind is through the virtual queue.  Starting at 7 am, Guests are able to join a virtual queue via the My Disney Experience app.  With this process, Guests are basically waiting in line virtually until their time is called.  Once they join the virtual queue, they will be given an estimated return time; however, it does vary.

If Guests aren’t able to get a virtual queue at 7 am and don’t wish to pay for an Individual Lightning Lane, they can try for a virtual queue again at 1 pm.  Finally, if Guests are staying at a Walt Disney World Deluxe Resort, they can once again try for a virtual queue at 6 pm on nights where extending even hours are offered.

If this ride is a must-do for your family (and if you are a thrill seeker it should be), we highly recommend making sure that you invest in the Individual Lightning Lane.  This will give you the best option for experiencing the ride during your EPCOT day.

Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure

Back in the France Pavilion is another top ride in EPCOT.  Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure is a family-friendly ride that shrinks Guests down to the size of Remy as they race through Gusteau’s kitchen trying to stay out of trouble.

There are a few ways to get to experience Remy’s during your EPCOT day.  The first option is to use Genie+.  This is again a paid feature through My Disney Experience that allows Guests to make a variety of ride selections for $15/day/person, therefore, bypassing the standby line.

If you choose to purchase Genie+ for your EPCOT day, we highly recommend selecting Remy’s as your first selection at 7 am.  This is still an extremely popular ride at EPCOT and with it being family-friendly, the Genie+ selections go quickly.

Another way to ride Remy’s with a lower wait is to rope drop it in the morning.  If you are staying at a Walt Disney World Resort hotel, you can take advantage of early entry and get to Remy’s before the Park opens to the rest of the Guests.  This is a great way to save money and still have a lower wait time.

Our final suggestion for Remy’s is to ride during Harmonious.  If you don’t need to experience that nighttime show, this is a good time to head back to the ride.  You will still have somewhat of a wait; however, it shouldn’t be too long.

Test Track

Another extremely popular ride in EPCOT is Test Track.  This ride continues to be a favorite of many making the standby lines grow quickly throughout the day.  Like with Remy’s there are few options that will help you avoid long waits.

First, if you do choose to have Genie+, Test Track is a good selection early in the morning.  If you have multiple days in EPCOT, having Test Track be your first pick is a good option.   You can also choose to rope drop Test Track if you have Genie+ for Remy’s.

Test Track is also one of the rides that offer a single rider as an option.  Guests are able to enter a separate queue where they will ride with other parties.  If you don’t mind riding separate from your family this is an excellent option.

Soarin Around the World

The final ride we are going to look at is Soarin’ Around the World.  Even with the additional screens, Soarin’ continues to see longer wait times.  In order to avoid this, we have a few suggestions.

If Soarin is a must-do for your family, consider using Genie+ to select Soarin as your second selection.  Doing this will allow you to still focus on Remy’s or Test Track, but help you avoid long lines for Soarin.

We also recommend rope dropping.  You can use Genie+ for Remy’s, rope drop Soarin and use the single rider line for Test Track.   This is if you are going to be at the Park when it opens.

You can also try to ride Soarin later in the day.  As Guests start to move back to the World Showcase part of EPCOT, crowds will start to lower in the front of the Park.

EPCOT has some top rides which lead to some higher wait times.  We hope these tips will help you master these rides so you have lower waits and can enjoy more of what EPCOT has to offer.